£1 Million Drugs Seized At Dover - Liverpool Men Charged

Two men from Liverpool have pleaded not guilty at Folkestone Magistrate court today after officers from the UK Border agency (UKBA) seized 100 kilos of amphetamine worth an estimated £1 million at Dover Eastern Docks. They have been remanded in custody to appear at Dover Magistrate next Thursday (12 March 2009).

Late Wednesday evening, 4 March 2009, a transit van was stopped after it had arrived on a ferry from Calais. During a search of the vehicle, UKBA officers discovered 50 clear packages hidden in a container box described as an oil filter machine. The packages tested positively for amphetamine.

The case was passed to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigation officers to continue enquiries.

Maria Finelli, HMRC in the South East said: "This was an excellent detection by UK Border Agency officers which led to the seizure of a large amount of amphetamine. HMRC together with UKBA play a vital role in the fight to prevent illegal drugs from entering the UK and in protecting our communities from violence and corruption that always accompany this hideous trade. Anyone with information about activity they suspect may be linked to drugs smuggling should call our 24 hour Customs hotline - 0800 59 5000".